Poster Presentation Asia Pacific Stroke Conference 2024

Movement-based mindfulness versus lifestyle education for managing physiological risk factors in stroke survivors: A Phase II study (#452)

Tharshanah Thayabaranathan 1 2 3 , Marina Paul 4 5 , Rohan Walker 4 5 6 , Shaun Hancock 1 , Liam Allan 1 7 , Maarten A Immink 8 , Susan Hillier 9 , Monique F Kilkenny 1 10 , Amy Brodtmann 2 11 , Emma Gee 12 , Leeanne Carey 2 13 , Rene Stolwyk 14 , Julie Bernhardt 2 10 , Michael Nilsson 4 5 6 , Dominique A Cadilhac 1 2 3 10
  1. School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  2. Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation, Australia
  3. Centre of Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, Australia
  4. Heart and Stroke Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
  5. College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  6. Centre for Rehab Innovations, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
  7. Australian e-health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
  8. College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  9. IIMPACT, Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  10. Stroke Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
  11. School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  12. Survivor of Stroke, Inspirational and Motivational Speaker, Cotham, Victoria, Australia
  13. School of Allied Health, Human Service and Sport, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  14. School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

Background: Movement-based mindfulness interventions (MBI) have the potential to reduce cardiovascular risk in people living with stroke.

Aims: Compare potential changes in physiological risk factors between participants in a novel MBI program and an attention control group.

Methods: Participants 3-18 months post-stroke were recruited from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry over four periods (between April 2021 and July 2023). Eligible participants were randomised (1:1) into a MBI (tailored yoga and meditation) or attention control group (lifestyle classes and socialisation). All participants attended weekly 60-minute in-person classes for 12 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included blood pressure and stress (perceived stress scale and hair cortisol). When funding became available, for participants in the third and fourth periods, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profiles were also measured. Cohen’s d (within-group change) and generalised linear modelling (between-group differences) were conducted.  

Results: Overall, thirty-six participants completed the trial (mean age: 69 years, male: 72%). Within-group differences: small to moderate non-significant effect sizes observed for blood pressure with greater magnitude for MBI group (systolic: 0.35 vs 0.10; diastolic: 0.41 vs 0.11). Similar results observed for high-density lipoprotein (0.73 vs 0.14), low-density lipoprotein (1.3 vs 0.02) and stress (perceived stress scale: 0.12 vs 0; hair cortisol 0.52 vs 0.34). Conversely, effect size (non-significant) was lower in MBI for total cholesterol (0.15 vs 0.31), and no changes observed for HbA1C (n=17). No between-group differences were observed.

Conclusion: Our MBI program may moderate physiological risk factors in survivors post-stroke. Larger, well-powered studies are needed to confirm these findings.